16 July 2005
To all International Parliaments and Organizations,
To
the United Nations,
To all International Women's Organisations
The
Iraqi women's movement expresses its deepest concern and worry towards the
drafts lately released by the Constitutional Committee, specifically in the
Chapter of Duties & Rights, in which the Shari'a law was clearly stated as
the main source for legislation in the new Iraq Constitution.
These
drafts stated:
- The state acknowledges the equal rights of women with
men in all fields, on the condition that it doesn't contradict with Shari'a
Law.
- Personal Status law is to be legislated according to personal
religions and sects (which is exactly as was stated in the order 137 of the
Iraqi Governing Council, that our movement fought against and managed to abolish
it).
- The quota for women, of 25% in all decision making places, was
specified only to be followed for the next two elections' phases. It was put
under Transitional Laws Chapter and not in the Chapter of Duties and Rights,
which can jeopardize the quota for women status.
- All international laws
are acknowledged, as long as they don't contradict the Islamic Shari'a
Law.
The movement emphasizes that it's been unprecedented to hurry the
writing of such important and dangerous document that will determine the future
of the Iraqis, without involving the Iraqi civil society in preparation and
writing process.
Its' decided that within ten days the Drafting Committee
will accomplish it's work and will be ready on August 15 as the dead line for
publishing the final version.
Lately, the Iraqi women movement has
prepared a memorandum that stated their demands on the following main
points:
- To recognize women's human rights as mother, worker and
citizen.
- To prevent all kind of violence and discrimination against
women.
- To ensure the quota of not less than 40 percent for women in all
decision making positions.
- To recognize the international conventions
and documents that Iraq has signed and ratified to be source for the Iraqi
legislations and regulations.
This appeal is urging you to lobby for our
cause with the Iraqi National Assembly and the Constitutional Committee. We
appreciate any action to support our demands to get civic constitution that
secure the rights and liberties of all Iraqi people and especially for women
without discrimination and will lay down the basis for democracy, social peace
and justice.
Email: iraqiwomennet@yahoo.com
Baghdad - Iraq
